Kaduna, August 9, 2024 – The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is set to intensify efforts to safeguard key national assets against various criminal threats, according to the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar.
This commitment was reaffirmed during the matriculation and combined graduation ceremony of Set 2 students of the Nigerian Air Force College of Nursing Science and the Critical Assets Protection Squad Course 5 at the Regiment Training Centre in Kaduna.
“As a fighting force, we shall continue to take vital steps towards protecting our key assets across the country,” stated Abubakar. He emphasized that these measures are aimed not only at countering agitating demonstrators but also at thwarting the activities of terrorists, insurgents, economic saboteurs, and other criminal elements.
Abubakar also highlighted the importance of improving the efficiency and manpower capacity of NAF personnel, stressing that the success of any system is fundamentally dependent on the training and motivation of its human resources.
“You can have expensive and sophisticated equipment and facilities, but if the humans managing the system are not adequately trained and properly motivated, then that system will definitely fail,” he noted.
He further explained that one of his key enablers in command philosophy is the deliberate training and mission-oriented force development, underscoring the significance of the courses being offered at the training centre.
Abubakar specifically pointed to the Critical Assets Protection Course as crucial, especially in light of recent protests that turned violent, resulting in the destruction of government facilities and attacks on critical national assets. He assured that the graduates of this course are now well-equipped to handle such situations, thereby enhancing NAF’s ability to protect the nation’s critical assets from both external and internal threats.
In addition to asset protection, Abubakar addressed the current challenge posed by the exodus of medical practitioners from Nigeria. He emphasized that the basic nursing course offered at the college is aimed at bridging this gap, contributing to a more effective healthcare system both within NAF and nationwide.
“The more we are able to train doctors and nurses, the faster we close the gaps and ensure we have a very effective and efficient healthcare system, not only for NAF but for the entire country,” he said.
Addressing the graduates, Abubakar reminded them of the noble nature of their profession, which requires compassion, dedication, and expertise. He urged them to remember their integral role in promoting health, preventing illness, and providing care for individuals, including those who are disabled or suffering from physical or mental illness.
The ceremony also included the presentation of awards to graduates who distinguished themselves during their course of study.
Abubakar concluded by expressing his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support for NAF’s initiatives.
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